Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-11-08

Irod.n
Natalie smiled, and Dolores turned her at
ention to Max, having overcome hor fears
# that largo animal.
eyes, continued tho stranger, ~ came
zero day or two ago to hunt for roll Of
music that l lost somewhere about here,
md while was searching, met this young
airy''-
'Was it manuscript" eagerly interrupted
Natalie.
SIT was,n promptly responded the other,
ceiling that his ruse was succeeding
"Was it called stella MeaPm
at was" again no replied affecting lit
10 wcll-feignod establishment at her ques-
ions md manner.
"Chen | have it, continued she, with
evident delight ~ found it here, and, do
you know, like IL very much, indeed. Did
you really compose IL. You are musical,
then, as well as poeticalp
Verify, Mistress Natalie was overcoming
hor man hating proclivities.
Still this was lot at all surprising. When
this young man resolved to win tho good
will of any one, male or female, few reason
able mortals could resist him. That frank
ness, that apparent simple-mndcdnoss,
threw strangers OF their guard, and ere
they knew it, tho citadal Of their reserve had
quito capitulated
~ am glad you like ii, indeed" answered
he, with slight bow, looking very much
pleased. chow fortunate | am to have met
you! For, strangely enough, | have been
unable to recall all of either the melody or
tho words. May return with you TO the
house and get i'll"
Certainly, replied Natalie, falling quick
ly into tho trap; "rm worry glad to have dis
covered its owner"
The leo was now broken.
Fairfax had once moro plotted success
fully. Natalie, had she only paused TO re-
fleet upon her course, might havo been sur
prisod, 10 say the least. Shc was chatting
away as gayly and unconcernedly with this
stranger, of whom sho knew absolutely
nothing, as II she had known him for years.
They walked together up toward tho cot
tage, Dolores between them, holding the
hand OF each In hor tiny fingers, while Max
followed domurely behind.
Fairfax (quite naturally lot slip the re-
mark that no was located In tho pretty cot
tage across the fields-Natalie had ofton
seen 1t and admired its charming situation
and quaint architecturo-'and," he added,
81 havo rented it for the autumn months
Glen Gore Is its name"
Fairfax refrained from making any per-
sonal remarks whatever to Natalie until, as
they approached tho house, ho said:
u think must have heard you singing,
when passed along the shore recently.
You sing, do you noti'
"Yes,n answered she, simply. "Do youl"
''No, am sorry to say do not. some
times play for my own amusement, but
there is such a wretched piano in my cot
tagc that take little pleasure in perform
ing upon it. Have you good pianoi"
ayes" said she, readily and unsus-
falling into the second little trap
he was laying.
He had SO timed his question that they
now stood on the porch, and Natalie, before
she realized what she was doing, had added,
courtcously:
"Will you come in and try til"
"With pleasure responded no, immedi-
ately stepping In through the door.
At first Natalie felt little alarmed, when
she considered that she had introduced an
absolute stranger into her defonseless and
''maleless" home. Fairfax, however, gave
her no time for reflection. With easy
grace and the utmost GOODNESS ho moved
quickly toward the instrument, uttering, as
be neared IL, the pleased exclamation:
allow delightful know the mako wellln
So saying, he sat down before the key
board and began soft, sweet prelude Of
Chopins. Natalie Immediately recognized |
the touch of O musician, and listened with
pleasure.
Fairfax now decided upon o bold coup
i'eidf.
He ceased playing, unexpectedly, and Sc
ected, as If by chance, q song from those |
piled up on the music stand beside him. 1t |
proved to be that fateful "Addio'-(for the |
,erp simple and excellent reason that Blanche |
had orders GliOdy, 10 place that song second |
from the top IN The pile).
"You will sing for me, will you notr' he |
said, quietly; and, without waiting for her
began the prelude. The Princess
was startled, and flushed deeply as she
the strain.
"How strangei How very strangei Al |
ways that song" murmured she to her.
'elf.
Her first impulse was to refuse to sing
at least that especial song). But Fairfax
Iept on playing the introduction with all
he expression Of which he was capable.
Had he asked her point-blank, he doubted
lot that she would refuse to sing the
Addio."
She could no longer resist, and when the
asst bar Of the prelude was finished, he was
lot surprised to hear her voice commence,
although tremblingly and timidly. Each
mo inspired the other. She soon was OBJ
iyious to every thing but her singing and
hat wonderfully sympathetic accompani-
nent.
Fairfax's triumph was perfect.
When the song was ended neither spoke
word, but each understood the other.
ears stood in her eyes, and even his eyes
Tere moist-hard- hearted man who used to
eclare that nothing had made him weep
ince no was boy Of twelve. As for
Dolores, tho orhs of that little creature were
He'd with pearly drops, while near by on
he floor lay Max, with whom she had been
laying, sorrowfully regarding his now
MISTRESS emotion.
Little mamma, you did make me cry"
aid tho child
Whereat, they both went to her, her
awe innocence having changed their tears
0 smiles.
"You poor little dearm calculated Fair
AK, tossing her up in his arms. "Did she
make you cry. Well, she did make mo cry,
90. But look out of the window and sec
he steamer passing by That is the Mt
DESERT She is late to-day"
So, from one topic to another, the two
vent on, regardless Of tho moments fast
Tipping by, until the deep-toned clock on
he mantel-piece struck five. Fairfax
'tarted, looked up and said;
"How forgetful ami II is the hour ap-
,ointed with my aunt for drive. By tho
way, may bring her to call upon youi"
"Certainly, with pleasure" answered the
Princess.
Had she been self-conscious person she
would have boon surprised at her own gra-
ciousness and confidence.
wait one moment" added she, as no
turned to go. "Here is your song. Have
@ "a H.